One-piece can tapper connector

ABSTRACT

A one-piece can tapper connector for use in connecting a dispensing valve to a container which may have a fluid under pressure therein. The container has an annular outlet portion defining an annular lip. The connector is defined by an annular body having a plurality of turned lugs fixedly associated therewith having a plurality of turned lugs fixedly associated therewith having an interference fit with the container lip in the mounted disposition. A lever is provided on the connector for swinging the connector about the engagement of one of the lugs to effect the connected disposition. Means are provided on the body for selectively mounting a dispensing valve thereon.

[111 3,85%,452 [451 Not .26, W74

[ ONE-PIECE CAN TAPPER CONNECTOR [75] Inventor: Richard V. Strybel, Elk Grove Village, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Imperial-Eastman Corporation,

Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Apr. 19, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 352,661

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,336 1874 Great Britain 285/38 Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hofgren, W'egner, Allen, Stellman & McCord [57] ABSTRACT A one-piece can tapper connector for use in connecting a dispensing valve to a container which may have a fluid under pressure therein. The container has an annular outlet portion defining an annular lip. The connector is defined by an annular body having a plurality of turned lugs fixedly associated therewith having a plurality of tumed lugs fixedly associated therewith having an interference fit with the container lip in the mounted disposition, A lever is provided on the connector for swinging the connector about the engagement of one of the lugs to effect the connected disposition. Means are provided on the body for selectively mounting a dispensing valve thereon.

19 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention N This invention relates to dispensers for dispensing fluid under pressure from a container, and in particular, to means for connecting dispensing valves to such containers.

2. Description of the Prior Art In U.S. Pat. No. 3,092,291 of George Franck for a Can Tapping Device, owned by the assignee hereof, a connector is provided having a plurality of lugs adapted to embrace an annular lip on the container by a lateral sliding movement of the connector over the upper surface of the lip. In the Franck can tapping device, the connector is relatively loosely associated with the lip and, thus, it is necessary to provide separate means for holding the connector while installing or removing the valve with the connector being disposed in mounted association with the container.

A valve dispenser somewhat similar to the Franck device is shown in George T. Wrenn, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 2,807,391.

In a more recent patent issued to Virgil Philipps, U.S. Pat. No. 3,580,424, a dispensing valve for a sealed pressurized container is shown to include a connector having two relatively movable parts adapted to clamp upon the bezel lip of the container to center the valve thereon. The two relatively swingable parts are provided with lugs which cooperate to retain the connector to the container in the mounted disposition.

The broad concept of such a connector is further shown in the R. I. Huffman U.S. Pat. No. 2,981,439, which utilizes a pair of relatively swingable elements having cooperating lugs. In the Huffman patent, the coupling further includes lugs on-one of the relatively movable members for preliminarily centering that member on the container lip prior to the securing ofthe connector thereto in the fully mounted disposition.

The concept of providing underturned lugs on a connector for selectively embracing a container lip to effect a mounted disposition on a container is well known, as exemplified by the early, 1892, patent of Charles E. Thomas U.S. Pat. No. 478,771.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends an improved connector for use in connecting a dispensing valve to a fluid container having an annular outlet portion defining an annular lip.

Broadly. the connector is defined by an annular body having a plurality of turned lugs arranged to embrace the container lip with the connector mounted thereon, a generally diametrically opposite pair of said lugs being spaced apart a distance slightly less than the outer diameter of the container lip to have an interference fit therewith in the mounted relationship, a lever projecting from the annular body for'manually swinging of the connector about the engagement of one of the pairs of lugs with the container lip to urge the other of the pair of lugs forcibly against the container lip for effecting an interference fit between the pair of lugs and the container lip thereby removably fixedly securing the connector to the container outlet portion, and means on the body for selective mounting and removal of a dispensing valve thereon by manipulation of the container with the connector retained fixedly thereon.

More specifically, the connector may include means for limiting the swinging movement of the connector about the engagement to a position wherein the other of the pair of lugs is substantially diametrically opposite the engagement.

The connector comprises a one-piece element wherein the connection thereof to the container lip is effected by a levering action so as to provide a substantially improved retention of the connector on the container outlet portion. The lever is connected to the body adjacent one of the pair of cooperating lugs for facilitated manipulation.

The means limiting the swinging movement of the connector comprises a stop means on the body adjacent the lever and more specifically, may comprise a lug also embracing the lip in the fully mounted disposition of the connector on the container.

In the preferred embodiment, the container lip is yieldable to permit an improved facilitated interference fit.

Thus, the connector of the present invention is extremely simple and economical of construction while yet providing the highly desirable features discussed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector embodying the invention for use in connecting a dispensing valve to a fluid container;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the connector in full lines in the mounted disposition on the container, and in dotted lines in a first step in the mounting thereof on the container;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the connector;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view illustrating the manipulation of the connector in effecting the mounting thereof to the container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawing, a dispensing valve generally designated 10 is shown to be connected to a container 11 of pressurized fluid by means of a connector generally designated 12. The container includes an annular outlet portion 13 defining an annular lip 14 to which connector 12 is mounted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the connector 13 further includes a closure portion 15 extending across an upper edly receiving a male threaded connecting portion 23 of valve 10, as best seen in FIG. 4. Threaded portion 23 carries at its lower end a sealing gasket 24 through which piercing element 17 extends adapted to seal the piercing element to closure mid-portion 18 in the connected disposition of the valve to the container.

Connector 12 is mounted to container 11 prior to the mounting of valve thereon. As best seen in FIG. 3, connector portion 20 is provided with a plurality of turned lugs 25, 26 and 27, and a projecting lever 28. One pair of lugs and 26 are generally diametrically opposed, and lug 27 is disposed intermediate lugs 25 and 26. Lever 28 is connected to connector body 20 intermediate lugs 26 and 27 and extends substantially outwardly therefrom to define at its distal end a manipulating portion 29.

Lugs 25, 26 and 27 may herein comprise underturned lugs adapted to embrace the container lip 14 in the mounted disposition of the connector on the container outlet portion 13. As shown in FIG. 4, the lugs define inwardly facing, segmentally annular surfaces 30 having a curvature generally similar to that of the radially outer surface portion 31 of the container lip 14. The centers of lugs 25 and 26 are spaced circumferentially of the annular body 20 slightly less than I80", and in the illustrated embodiment, are spaced apart approximately 166. The lugs have a circumferential extent preselected such that the leading edge 32 of lug 26, i.e., in the direction of the swinging movement of the connector in the installation thereof on the connector outlet portion, is spaced circumferentially of the center 33 of lug 25 approximately 180. In the illustrated embodiment, where the diameter of the opening 21 is slightly over one-half inch, the circumferential extent of the lugs may be approximately three-eighths inch. The overall diameter of the body portion 20 may be approximately l-/2 inches, and the extension of lever 28 from the center of opening 22 may be approximately l-% inches.

Thus, to install connector 12 on the container outlet portion 13, the user merely places lug 25 in embracing relationship with one portion of the container lip 14, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Lever 28 is then manipulated by a pair ofthe users fingers while lug 25 is maintained in embracing relationship with the container lip by another of the users fingers, so as to swing the connector about the engagement of lug 25 with the container lip from the dotted line position of FIG. 2, to the full line position of FIG. 2. The diametric spacing of the surfaces 30 of lugs 25 and 26 is preferably slightly less than the diameter of the outer surface 31 of the container outlet portion and, thus, as the connector is swung to the full line position of FIG. 2, an interference fit between the lugs and the connector outlet portion is obtained. In the illustrated embodiment, the container outlet portion is somewhat yieldable so as to permit the desired interference fit while providing an effectively positive retention of the connector on the outlet portion suitable for maintaining the connector fixed while portion 23 of valve 10 is threaded through the threaded opening 22 either in mounting the valve to the container or removing it therefrom. Thus, in the use of the present connector, it is unnecessary to employ any separate means for holding the connector to the container during the installation or removal of the valve substantially facilitating the dispensing operation.

To effectively assure a proper mounting of the connector to the container outlet portion, lug 27 is provided to define a stop means which is adapted to engage lip surface 31 when lug 26 is in the position of proper interference fit relationship with the outlet portion lip.

To remove the valve and connector from container 11 as upon completion of dispensing of the fluid from the container, the user merely unthreads the valve from the connector opening 22 and then swings the connector from the full line to the dotted line position of FIG. 2. As the lever 28 has a substantial radial projection, the mechanical advantage provided affords facilitated overcoming of the friction of the interference fit permitting ready removal of the connector from the container.

The connector may be reused by a subsequent similar operation in connection with one or more additional containers.

Thus, connector 12 is extremely simple and economical of construction while yet providing an improved facilitated mounting of a dispensing valve to a fluid container. As the connector utilizes no moving parts, long trouble-free life thereof is afforded. The connector is adapted for effectively positive connection to such container outlet portions notwithstanding a substantial variation in the outer diameters thereof as may occur in the conventional pressurized fluid containers. By eliminating the need for providing separate means to hold the connector against movement on the outlet portion of the container during installation and removal of the valve, a substantially improved facilitated use is obtained.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of the broad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

I claim:

1. For use in connecting a dispensing valve to a container having an outlet portion defining an annular lip, a connector comprising: an annular body having a plu rality of fixed turned lugs arranged to embrace the container lip; a generally diametrically opposite pair of said lugs being spaced apart a distance slightly less than the outer diameter of the container lip to have an interference fit therewith; a lever projecting from said annular body for manually swinging of the connector about the engagement of one of said pair of lugs with the container lip to urge the other of said pair of lugs forcibly against the container lip for effecting an inteference fit between said pair of lugs and the container lip thereby removably fixedly securing theconnector to the container outlet portion; and means on said body for selective mounting and removal of a dispensing valve thereon with the connector retained fixedly on the container.

2. The connector structure of claim 1 wherein said last named means comprises means defining a threaded opening through the body.

3. The connector structure of claim I wherein said lever is connected to said body adjacent the other of said pair of lugs.

4. The connector structure of claim I wherein said lugs are underturned.

5. The connector structure of claim 1 wherein said lugs define radially inwardly facing segmentally annular surfaces.

6. The connector structure of claim 1 wherein said lugs define radially inwardly facing segmentally cylindrical surfaces.

7. The connector structure of claim 1 wherein said lugs define radially inwardly facing segmentally annular surfaces having a curvature similar to that of the radially outer surface portion of said container lip engaged by said lug surfaces in the mounted arrangement of the connector on the container.

8. The connector structure of claim 1 wherein the centers of said lugs are spaced circumferentially of the annular body slightly less than 180.

9. The connector structure of claim 1 wherein the centers of said lugs are spaced circumferentially of the annular body slightly less than 180 and extend circumferentially such that the leading edge of the other said pair in the direction of said swinging is spaced circumferentially of the center of said one lug of said pair approximately 180.

10. A connector structure as claimed in claim 1 comprising a one-piece element.

11. For use in connecting a dispensing valve to a container having an annular outlet portion defining an annular lip, a connector comprising: an annular body having a plurality of fixed turned lugs arranged to embrace the container lip; a generally diametrically opposite pair of said lugs being spaced apart a distance slightly less than the outer diameter of the container lip to have an interference fit therewith; a lever projecting from said annular body for manually swinging of the connector about the engagement of one of said pair of lugs with the container lip to urge the other of said pair of lugs forcibly against the container lip thereby removably fixedly securing the connector to the container outlet portion; means for limiting the swinging movement of the connector about said engagement to a position wherein the other of said pair of lugs is substantially diametrically opposite said engagement; and means on said body for selective mounting and removal of a dispensing valve thereon with the connector retained fixedly on the container.

12. The connector structure of claim 11 wherein said swinging limiting means comprises a lug on said body arranged to engage said container lip in the fully mounted disposition of the connector on said lip.

13. The connector structure of claim 11 wherein said swinging limiting means comprises stop means on said body adjacent said lever.

14. The connector structure of claim 11 wherein said swinging limiting means comprises a turned lug on said body.

15. The connector structure of claim 11 wherein said swinging limiting means comprises an underturned lug on said body embracing said lip in the fully mounted disposition of the connector on said lip.

16. The connector structure of claim 11 wherein said swinging limiting means comprises a turned lug on said body intermediate said pair of lugs.

17. The connector structure of claim 11 wherein said swinging limiting means comprises a turned lug on said body intermediate said lever and said one of said pair of lugs.

18. The connector structure of claim 11 wherein said lip is yieldable.

19. A connector structure as claimed in claim 11 comprising a one-piece element. 

1. For use in connecting a dispensing valve to a container having an outlet portion defining an annular lip, a connector comprising: an annular body having a plurality of fixed turned lugs arranged to embrace the container lip; a generally diametrically opposite pair of said lugs being spaced apart a distance slightly less than the outer diameter of the container lip to have an interference fit therewith; a lever projecting from said annular body for manually swinging of the connector about the engagement of one of said pair of lugs with the container lip to urge the other of said pair of lugs forcibly against the container lip for effecting an interference fit between said pair of lugs and the container lip thereby removably fixedly securing the connector to the container outlet portion; and means on said body for selective mounting and removal of a dispensing valve thereon with the connector retained fixedly on the container.
 2. The connector structure of claim 1 wherein said last named means comprises means defining a threaded opening through the body.
 3. The connector structure of claim 1 wherein said lever is connected to said body adjacent the other of said pair of lugs.
 4. The connector structure of claim 1 wherein said lugs are underturned.
 5. The connector structure of claim 1 wherein said lugs define radially inwardly facing segmentally annular surfaces.
 6. The connector structure of claim 1 wherein said lugs define radially inwardly facing segmentally cylindrical surfaces.
 7. The connector structure of claim 1 wherein said lugs define radially inwardly facing segmentally annular surfaces having a curvature similar to that of the radially outer surface portion of said container lip engaged by said lug surfaces in the mounted arrangement of the connector on the container.
 8. The connector structure of claim 1 wherein the centers of said lugs are spaced circumferentially of the annular body slightly less than 180*.
 9. The connector structure of claim 1 wherein the centers of said lugs are spaced circumferentially of the annular body slightly less than 180* and extend circumferentially such that the leading edge of the other said pair in the direction of said swinging is spaced circumferentially of the center of said one lug of said pair approximately 180*.
 10. A connector structure as claimed in claim 1 comprising a one-piece element.
 11. For use in connecting a dispensing valve to a container having an annular outlet portion defining an annular lip, a connector comprising: an annular body having a plurality of fixed turned lugs arranged to embrace the container lip; a generally diametrically opposite pair of said lugs being spaced apart a distance slightly less than the outer diameter of the container lip to have an interference fit therewith; a lever projecting from said annular body for manually swinging of the connector about the engagement of one of said pair of lugs with the container lip to urge the other of said pair of lugs forcibly against the container lip thereby removably fixedly securing the connector to the container outlet portion; means for limiting the swinging movement of the connector about said eNgagement to a position wherein the other of said pair of lugs is substantially diametrically opposite said engagement; and means on said body for selective mounting and removal of a dispensing valve thereon with the connector retained fixedly on the container.
 12. The connector structure of claim 11 wherein said swinging limiting means comprises a lug on said body arranged to engage said container lip in the fully mounted disposition of the connector on said lip.
 13. The connector structure of claim 11 wherein said swinging limiting means comprises stop means on said body adjacent said lever.
 14. The connector structure of claim 11 wherein said swinging limiting means comprises a turned lug on said body.
 15. The connector structure of claim 11 wherein said swinging limiting means comprises an underturned lug on said body embracing said lip in the fully mounted disposition of the connector on said lip.
 16. The connector structure of claim 11 wherein said swinging limiting means comprises a turned lug on said body intermediate said pair of lugs.
 17. The connector structure of claim 11 wherein said swinging limiting means comprises a turned lug on said body intermediate said lever and said one of said pair of lugs.
 18. The connector structure of claim 11 wherein said lip is yieldable.
 19. A connector structure as claimed in claim 11 comprising a one-piece element. 